Reminiscences of Captain Gronow


Read by Ruth Golding

(4.6 stars; 47 reviews)

A collection of memoirs about the Peninsular War, the Battle of Waterloo, and society and personalities of Regency London and 19th century Paris, by a sometime Grenadier Guards officer, unsuccessful parliamentarian, and dandy. Gronow displays some social attitudes of the day which would now be regarded as unacceptable, but is a clever raconteur who brings to life both the horrors of war and the gaiety of high society. (Summary by Ruth Golding and Wikipedia) (5 hr 53 min)

Chapters

Sections 01 - 12 The Peninsular War 50:04 Read by Ruth Golding
Sections 13 - 17 Regency London 25:50 Read by Ruth Golding
Sections 18 - 25 Regency London 51:11 Read by Ruth Golding
Sections 25 - 33 The Battle of Waterloo 25:55 Read by Ruth Golding
Sections 34 - 42 Military matters; Post-war Paris 33:30 Read by Ruth Golding
Sections 43 - 50 Parisian society 43:17 Read by Ruth Golding
Sections 51 - 61 Parisian society; British and French characters 31:55 Read by Ruth Golding
Sections 62 - 68 Money-lending; British characters 35:48 Read by Ruth Golding
Sections 69 - 73 British characters 18:31 Read by Ruth Golding
Sections 74 - 88 British characters; Franco-British relations 37:44 Read by Ruth Golding

Reviews

Free Audio Review


(5 stars)

My ongoing interest in wargaming has for many years spurred my interest in all things of the Napoleonic period, and so this audio book came to my attention because it included the eye-attracting words "Waterloo" and "Penninsular". There is not a single story running through this narrative, it is rather an series of anecdotes, genuine reminiscences of the life and times. These are not limited to war time memories but also capture events and people before and after the war. We hear of the socialites, the gambling houses, young men ruined, brave mean dueling, and the ridiculous lengths a man in love will put himself through! We also have the war memories interleaved with the other stories. I was gluded to this audio book. The insight into another time totally absorbed me and the stories were thought provoking, humerous and interesting by turns. Add to this the fact that the reader is of outstanding quality. I kept thinking that I was listening to a BBC history broadcast! If you'd like to read more of my Free Audio Reviews please visit http://freeaudioreview.blogspot.com/

Excellent fun!


(5 stars)

The reader is superb, she could be a professional, and the book itself is fabulous - from anecdotes about Beau Brummel, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Devonshire, to a visit to Byron, in which Gronow discloses that Byron used curling papers nightly to make his signature curls! Wonderful stuff

INSTRUCTIVE PERIOD PIECE


(4 stars)

Observations on the war were particuularly informative. The reader was excellent as she always is.

Great job


(5 stars)

interesting insight into the 19th century world of military officers and "polite" society. Great reading!

A great slice through early 1800s English aristocratic circles


(5 stars)